An extra $662 million for aged care is ‘too little, too late’, according to opposition ageing spokesperson Julie Collins. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the extra funding on the eve of the Aged Care Royal Commission’s first hearings, which open in Adelaide on Monday. The funds include $320 million for residential aged care over the next 18 months, and 10,000 more home care packages. Ms Collins said the extra funds would not make up for the Prime Minister’s funding cuts over the past years. ”It’s too, little too late. This announcement isn’t even half of Scott Morrison’s aged care cuts as Treasurer. “The waiting list for home care has grown to 127,000, with many waiting more than a year to receive the care they have been approved for.” Ms Collins said more than a dozen reviews of the aged care sector recommended changes, but the government had done nothing. Mr Morrison said the government wanted a culture of respect and care for the elderly. “Looking after older Australians is the government’s top priority. It’s why as Prime Minister and Treasurer I have delivered thousands of additional home care places. “These places give older Australians a choice about how and where they want to live.” The $662 million investment includes a $320 million general subsidy boost in 2018-19 for residential aged care services and $35.7 million in home care supplements for dementia sufferers and veterans, plus: Council on the Ageing Australia welcomed the extra money, including the $7.7 million to improve quality and safety in home care. However chief executive Ian Yates said the funds should have been tagged for staffing. “It is disappointing there are no conditions attached to require providers to use the additional funding to increase staff numbers and/or support workforce training and development programs that will lift the standard of care in nursing homes."

Ms Collins said more than a dozen reviews of the aged care sector recommended changes, but the government had done nothing.

Mr Morrison said the government wanted a culture of respect and care for the elderly.

“Looking after older Australians is the government’s top priority. It’s why as Prime Minister and Treasurer I have delivered thousands of additional home care places.

“These places give older Australians a choice about how and where they want to live.”

Better safety and quality

The $662 million investment includes a $320 million general subsidy boost in 2018-19 for residential aged care services and $35.7 million in home care supplements for dementia sufferers and veterans, plus:

$282.4 million for 10,000 home care packages

$4.2 million for a national quality indicator program

$7.7 million to enhance the safety, quality and integrity of home care

$4.6 million trial of a new residential care funding tool

$7.4 million for a business advisory service.

Council on the Ageing Australia welcomed the extra money, including the $7.7 million to improve quality and safety in home care.

However chief executive Ian Yates said the funds should have been tagged for staffing.

“It is disappointing there are no conditions attached to require providers to use the additional funding to increase staff numbers and/or support workforce training and development programs that will lift the standard of care in nursing homes."